SPRINGFIELD, IL--Riley Martin authored a historic 19 strikeout performance, and the Hawks blasted three solo home runs to top the fourth-ranked Illinois Springfield Prairie Stars 3-2 on Friday (May 7) afternoon.

Jacob Kalusniak led of the first with a single, but was stranded after UIS retired the next three Hawk hitters. Martin then worked around a walk and got two strikeouts in the bottom of the first to strand a runner and keep the game scoreless. 

Joe Roscetti then launched a two-out solo home run to right field to break the seal and give QU a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. This was the third home run of the season for Roscetti.

Martin proceed to strikeout the side in the second, but surrendered two of the three hits he allowed in the outing during the third inning. UIS scored a run behind two bloop singles to even the score at 1-1 after the third. Martin then stuck out the side in order in the fourth and recorded 10 straight outs via the punch out. That streak ended when Martin got a groundout to begin the fifth, and then proceeded to strikeout the next two UIS hitters and had 13 strikeouts through five innings.

The Hawks jumped ahead 3-1 in the sixth inning behind a solo home run from Nolan Wosman, and a two-out solo home run from Evans to dead center. Martin then stuck out three Prairie Stars in the sixth to reach the 16 strikeout mark for the fifth time the season. 

The 16th strikeout broke the QU Baseball single-season record moving past former GLVC Pitcher of the year Brandon DeJaynes. Martin then stuck out the side in the seventh to break the single game record with 19, one more than Nick Stroud had against Bellarmine in 2019. 

The Hawks crowded the bases in the top of the eighth behind two hits and two walks but did not score and left three runners on base. 

Jack Widhalm then came out of the pen for the eighth and retired three straight hitters after surrendering a leadoff single. The Hawks were held in check offensively in the ninth, but closer Sam Stephens held the lead despite allowing a solo home run and earned his fourth save of the year. 

Quincy is now 17-0 when they hit two or more home runs. 

Stats

Nolan Wosman 2-5 (HR, 2B), RBI

Joe Roscetti 2-3 (HR), RBI

Cole Evans 1-2 (HR), RBI,

Riley Martin 7.0 IP (137 P), 19SO, 3H, 1ER

Next 

QU continues its weekend series against UIS tomorrow (May 8th) at 12:00 and 3:00 PM.